A way forward

Published: Saturday March 08, 2008

The death of eight Armenians and the turmoil that struck Armenia on March 1 is a tragedy for all Armenians. Our first thoughts are with the families of the deceased. Our broader concern is for the security of Armenia and its people, the continued development of civil society and democratic institutions, and Armenia's reputation as a stable and safe place to visit, to do business, and to live.

The clashes followed an important election.

Armenia chose its third president on February 19. Though far from flawless, the election was seen by trained observers as another in a series of continually improving exercises in civic engagement and democratic choice. The election was a positive development for Armenia.

Armenia's leaders have committed to investigate every allegation of misconduct, and to prosecute every illegal act. Doing so will further strengthen the Armenian nation and bolster confidence in Armenia's election process. We expect the world community will give Armenia all the encouragement and support that it needs to carry out this important task.

Unfortunately, the situation in Armenia after the election became increasingly tense because of the unwillingness of one candidate to concede defeat.

Levon Ter-Petrossian had, in the last week of February, explained to protesters gathered in Freedom Square that he was leading a "bourgeois-democratic revolution." Unlike challengers in earlier presidential contests, he had sworn to "go to the end." Vazgen Manukian (when Mr. Ter-Petrossian was up for reelection in 1996) and Stepan Demirchian (when Mr. Kocharian was up for reelection in 2003) did not "go to the end" out of concern for stability and the risk to human life.

Although Mr. Ter-Petrossian declared his intention to carry out his revolution within the bounds of legality, he repeatedly called for the staffs of the armed forces and security forces, as well as civil servants and diplomats, to announce their allegiance to him and declare that they would no longer obey the current president. In most countries, including Armenia, sedition is illegal.

Considering that over three-quarters of Armenia's voters on February 19 had rejected his offer to lead the country, it is not entirely clear how Mr. Ter-Petrossian intended to "go to the end" peacefully.

President Kocharian apparently decided not to take any chances. After 10 uneventful days of rallies, he had security forces clear Freedom Square. When the rallies turned into riots and the confrontation turned deadly, he introduced a state of emergency.

Calm has been restored, but Armenia's fledgling democracy now hangs in the balance. Armenia needs a way forward.

We call on Armenia's leadership to move quickly to lift the state of emergency and restore the freedoms that Armenians have worked hard to achieve.

We call on Armenia's citizens to recommit themselves to building a strong, independent, democratic, and peaceful nation.

We call on the world community to increase its support to Armenia and its fledgling democracy.

We pray that President-Elect Serge Sargsian be granted the courage, strength, and wisdom to implement his vision for a better life for all Armenians.

Together, we will find the way forward.